Global IR through dialogue |
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Authors: | Eun Yong-Soo |
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Affiliation: | Department of Political Science and International Studies, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea |
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Abstract: | This article aims to address how to ensure a two-way ‘dialogue’ across ‘the West/non-West distinction’ in international studies. To this end, I first discuss three different approaches to dialogue, the Socratic, the Habermasian, and the Weberian, and clarify what kind of thing dialogue should be if it is to overcome the ‘West-non-West divide’ and transform the current ‘Western-centric’ IR into a global discipline. I argue that dialogue should be understood as reciprocal feedback from different perspectives for mutual learning. In order to achieve this goal (i.e. mutual learning), I call for an ‘instrumentalist’ approach to dialogue. To elucidate this point, I offer an empirical illustration. The focus here is on dialogue as mutual learning between Western-centric IR theory, more specifically constructivism, and the indigenous experience and knowledge of East Asia. |
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Keywords: | Global IR West-non-West divide dialogue mutual learning complementary reciprocity ‘instrumentalist’ approach constructivism ‘superior’ identity East Asia |
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